Pernod Ricard to launch 1 bln euro rights issue-FT

LONDON, April 7 (Reuters) - French drinks group Pernod Ricard (PERP.PA) is expected to announce a 1 billion euro ($1.35 billion) rights issue and a deal to sell its Wild Turkey bourbon brand, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday, without citing sources.

The paper said on its website that the Wild Turkey sale was expected to raise $575 million for Pernod.

Senior Pernod executives told Reuters in February the firm was focused on paying down the debt it took on last year to make the 5.6 billion euro acquisition of Vin & Sprit, the Swedish drinks group behind Absolut vodka.

Pernod could not immediately be reached for comment. (Reporting by Tim Castle; Editing by Gary Hill)